Artist description Honky Tonk, Alt Country, Country Rock. Call it what you want. It's Country...TEXAS STYLE!

Music Style Alternative Country

Musical Influences Guy Clark, Billy Joe Shaver, Jerry Jeff Walker

Similar Artists Charlie Robison, Pat Green, Jack Ingram

Artist History Mike Allen hails from the East Texas town of Conroe in Montgomery County. Growing up with a wide range of musical influences in his life (his mother listening to nothing but Buck Owens and Porter Waggoner at the same time that his brother and sister were introducing him to the wonderful world of Hendrix, Cream and Creedence Clearwater), it's no wonder his ear and songwriting cover a wide spectrum of musical styles. Recieving his first guitar as a Christmas present at 14, Mike began playing music for a living with musicians twice his age the very next year. Starting out in rock and roll, he soon made the switch to the Blues and travelled the roads for the next several years. it wasn't until 1980 that he made his final musical leap to country music. "I couldn't stand the Country music of the '70's!" he says. "all those strings and background singers...it sounded like hillbilly Muzak or something!" It wasn"t until a fortuitous day in 1979 that he changed his mind. "A friend of mine came over to the house with some records he wanted me to hear. one was Waylon's 'Honky Tonk Heroes', another was Gary Stewart's 'Flat Natural Born Good Timing Man' and Jerry Jeff's 'Viva Terlingua'. It hit me right between the eyes. For the first time, I found that Country music could say something real, have a beat, and not bore me to tears. I knew where I wanted to be." Playing the music that was popular in clubs (Strait, Jackson, etc.) for a living, Mike was listening to and writing music in the style of his songwriting heroes - Guy Clark, Billy Joe Shaver and Jerry Jeff Walker. He even had one of his songs, 'Whiskey And Tears', cut and released to moderate regional success by the Bootleg Country Band in the mid '80's. Finally, after years of playing lead guitar for others, Mike discovered the new breed of Texas songwriters - Charlie Robison, Jack Ingram, Pat Green and the rest - and decided to make the move toward pursuing his own career. 'I just decided it was time to get off my duff and try it", he says with a characteristic smirk. "I mean...you never know what'll happen unless you give it a shot." F.S.

Instruments Vocals, Lead Guitar, Slide Guitar

Albums Mike Allen

Press Reviews Long Live the Honky Tonk! Country singer/songwriter Mike Allen IS Texas Music! His new CD is a gem in the Alt Country field --- Country Times

Location Willis, Texas - USA

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